Did you know that getting a cavity hurts? In fact, many individuals would agree that having a toothache is the worst feeling known to man. While it is true that a cavity can eventually result in tooth loss, there are ways to treat it before it progresses too far. This blog discusses the various kinds of cavities and how to treat them based on any symptoms or signs you may experience. Read on for advice on how to treat the pain and keep your tooth if you have a cavity and believe it may be too late to save it.
Table of Contents
What is a Cavity?
Care must be taken with teeth because they are one of the body’s most vital organs. The opening in the teeth known as a cavity is brought on by tooth decay and loss. Numerous factors, such as brushing too vigorously or consuming acidic foods and beverages, can contribute to their development.
The most effective way to stop cavities from developing is to brush and floss your teeth frequently. Visit your dentist as soon as you notice a cavity so they can provide you with treatment. Remember that regular dental checkups are essential to maintaining the health of your teeth and identifying cavities before they cause further damage.
If a Cavity Hurts Is It Too Late?
Saving a tooth is never too late. In fact, it’s best to seek professional dental advice as soon as you experience any toothache-related pain or discomfort. Dentists can frequently treat cavities using a series of procedures that are customized for each individual tooth.
Early treatment offers the best chance for success even though there is no guarantee that the tooth can be saved. Always remember to consult a professional dentist before making any decisions, as cavities can frequently be challenging to treat and necessitate several visits.
Even if it has been years since the last crown or filling, a tooth can still be saved with a little bit of work and care.
When Is It Too Late to Fill a Cavity?
While it is never too late to treat a cavity with pain medication, if the decay is overly extensive, it may be too late to perform a cavity filling. When we say decay is large, we mean that it either affects the nerve or covers more than half of the tooth.
• Cavity into the nerve. A filling would not be sufficient if the decay had reached the tooth nerve because fillings don’t address nerve pain. A nerve infection and associated pain can only be treated with a root canal.
• involves more than half of the tooth. A filling wouldn’t be enough to preserve the tooth’s integrity if the decay covered more than 50% of the tooth. It is advised that a crown be used in its place for better defense.
Although it may be preferable to simply have the tooth extracted if the decay has severely damaged it. The worst-case scenario is that, which is why, if the cavity is already causing you pain, you shouldn’t put off getting treatment.
It is already too late if the cavity is too large for a tooth filling because those fillings are only designed for small cavities.
Signs and Symptoms of a Cavity
It’s never too late to maintain good oral hygiene. Cavities can occur at any age, but they are more frequent in people over 50. It’s crucial to visit a dentist if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms: trouble swallowing, discomfort when drinking or eating, toothaches, or tooth discoloration.
Although prevention is always the best course of action, accidents do happen. Professional cleanings can help with that. You can help avoid cavities in the future by removing any decay and plaque before they have a chance to hurt your teeth. Dental care can be a quick, painless fix that will improve your condition, so don’t be afraid to get it if you need it.
How to Repair Damaged Teeth?
Small Cavities
The smallest cavities are the most straightforward to treat. A filling, which is a flowable tooth-colored substance that fills the hole in your tooth, is all that is required. We must first repair the damage, though, before we can insert the filling. Your comfort is our top priority at Kuzma Advanced Dentistry, so we take the process of numbing your teeth very seriously. We will numb the area around the tooth and begin treatment after you are completely asleep. Your tooth will then be filled after we remove the decay.
The procedure for fillings is brief, and the recovery period is also brief. You might experience some sensitivity, but after two to three days, you’ll have a repaired tooth that performs and appears identical to a healthy natural tooth.
Medium Cavities
We have two restoration options for larger cavities.
The top of your tooth is also covered by an inlay, which is similar to a filling but does more than just fill the hole left behind. This restoration offers a higher level of security and is stronger than a filling.
Onlays offer even more security. An onlay covers the top of your tooth, spills over the sides, and fills the empty space left behind. If the flowable material in the cavity-induced hole experiences any external pressures, it will also aid in keeping your tooth together.
Both restorations are typically made in a lab with custom coloring to match your teeth. On the other hand, Wilmington’s CEREC machine enables same-day inlay or onlay placement.
Large Cavities
Getting a crown is occasionally the best choice for your tooth. Even though inlays, onlays, and fillings can work, there are times when your cavity is simply too big for one of those solutions to be effective. Crowns are caps that fit over your damaged tooth and are made to order. They’ll look, feel, and function like healthy teeth, and they’ll be the same color as the rest of your teeth.
1. First, we’ll take extra care to numb your mouth.
2. To make room for the crown, we’ll then remove the decay and a portion of the tooth’s outer layer.
3. In order for you to receive your crown the same day, we will finally create it in our office. You’ll have a brand-new tooth in an hour!
Summary: Never Too Late
Even if you are experiencing pain, it is never too late to get a cavity filled. However, if the decay is excessively severe, it might be too late to perform a dental filling. For different sizes of tooth decay, there are other treatment options available.
Just keep in mind that the cavity will enlarge the longer you delay and put it off. As a result, the treatment will also be more complicated and costly. We strongly advise you to make the right choice and schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you experience pain because it is your health and your money at stake.